title: Perceptual multistability in figure-ground segregation using motion stimuli.
abstract: In a series of experiments using ambiguous stimuli, we investigate the effects of displaying ordered, discrete series of images on the dynamics of figure-ground segregation. For low frame presentation speeds, the series were perceived as a sequence of discontinuous, static images, while for high speeds they were perceived as continuous. We conclude that using stimuli varying continuously along one parameter results in stronger hysteresis and reduces spontaneous switching compared to matched static stimuli with discontinuous parameter changes. The additional evidence that the size of the hysteresis effects depended on trial duration is consistent with the stochastic nature of the dynamics governing figure-ground segregation. The results showed that for continuously changing stimuli, alternative figure-ground organizations are resolved via low-level, dynamical competition. A second series of experiments confirmed these results with an ambiguous stimulus based on Petter's effect.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Trieste, Via Sant' Anastasio 12, 34134 Trieste, TS, Italy. gori@psico.units.it
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gori
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Giora
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pedersini
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention; D005260:Female; D005364:Field Dependence-Independence; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009039:Motion Perception; D017711:Nonlinear Dynamics; D010364:Pattern Recognition, Visual; D011601:Psychophysics; D011930:Reaction Time; D012858:Size Perception; D055815:Young Adult